Tribune Opinion: Pioneer House offers hope to addicts or those with mental illness

From left, Renee Schell, Richard Bosely, Ashlyn McMillan, Nicholas Hansen and Clark Bacco stand outside the Pioneer House. The Frontier House took the space over and will use it to help folks struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues get back on track with affordable housing and support.

Editorial Board

The Tribune Editorial Board decides and writes the Tribune Opinion. Its members are:

We already like the work Frontier's doing for those trying to beat those afflictions. Once they're referred by a mental health professional, they become clubhouse members, where they can develop healthy, positive relationships with each other and even get help getting a job. Now Frontier can offer stable housing, as well.

Members can stay at the house for up to a year on a monthly lease.

The concept is similar to the Housing First model catching on in Weld County, which offers permanent, affordable (not free) housing to folks experiencing homelessness, even if they are on drugs.

Recommended Stories For You

It would, after all, be almost impossible to beat something as difficult as an addiction without a stable place to stay.

We appreciate the Pioneer House will charge rent. That gives the residents something to work for and may even instill a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.

But we also like the fact the residents will have support from both residents and professionals to help them get back to life. There are enough hurdles to beating addiction and mental illness. We appreciate the fact the Pioneer House appears to be removing the biggest ones.

— Tribune Editorial Board

Editorial Board

The Tribune Editorial Board decides and writes the Tribune Opinion. Its members are: